Wow it's been months since I've had a moment to sit down and write a proper blog post! It's been a really busy last 3 months, I'm still trying to figure out how to allocate enough time for different aspects of my business, which includes blogging! I've missed many moments of wonderful accomplishments in sharing on the blog with you all, but at the moment I'm most up-to-date via Instagram.

Anyway, enough about me rambling...I want to share something that has been in the works for months now! Introducing a whole video series on the way I create watercolors, the beginner's class is now available through Creativebug. About 3 or 4 months ago, I was approached by them to partner up and create some online tutorials on how to paint with watercolor. The timing couldn't have been more perfect, since I have been trying to figure out how to put some online classes together myself! I receive lots of requests from readers and customers to create an online tutorial on a daily basis, and it was time to capture why I love watercolor as much as I do through video!

I flew down to San Francisco end of January for an entire week to shoot the videos. The process was so interesting, so eye-opening, and so daunting. The main goal I wanted to communicate across was how enjoyable and fun painting with watercolor can be. I wanted viewers to not feels so afraid to pick up that brush and start painting. It is a very simple task, right? But, and even I feel this way 80% of the time that I paint, it's so scary to stare at a blank piece of paper. There's so much expectation to be placed on a sheet of paper. "Will it be the most amazing painting ever"? "Am I going to witness the next Van Gogh"? I know I'm exaggerating a little, but really, thoughts similar to that crosses my mind and I start to freeze. Because how in the world will I know? Which is precisely why I don't sketch in pencil beforehand. I take the jump, vanquish all of those fears, and just start painting...It doesn't have to be the best of piece I'm going to ever create. Really, it's probably going to draft 1 of 5 before I get something really great. And that's totally OK! No expectations, no restraints. Let's just enjoy the process of painting, and watch watercolor dance and blend its way through all the colors, shall we?

This is the main goal I wanted to communicate across. Everything beyond that was going to be a bonus! Now that a month as passed and I've had some distance from all of the preparation and lesson plans...I have to say I'm really proud of what me and the crew (such amazing, talented people!) at Creativebug did together. I learned a lot about my inner thought process while I'm painting. It's something that's become really innate and intuitive, that it's only ever in my subconscious. But, through these video tutorials, I had to vocalize these thought processes out loud.

The first class focuses on the fundamentals like blending techniques and constructing color palettes. Each week, for 4 weeks, there will be a new class that will be sort of a follow-up to the class before. There are 2 beginners classes, including this one, and 2 intermediate ones where I dive a little deeper into complex shapes and compositions. One of the intermediate classes is entirely devoted to florals! This is how much I love painting with flowers, I can go on for hours talking about it!

I hope you guys will pop on over and check it out! They offer monthly subscriptions that are very affordable where you can take as many classes as you'd like. In addition, follow me on Instagram for prices and giveaways through these 4 weeks!

I had the privilege of being interviewed by West Elm last week for their blog, Front + Main. I love how much West Elm cares and supports small businesses, so I was (not surprisingly) jumping up and down in my seat when they approached me!

In the interview I talk a little bit about my journey as an artist and why I love what I do. I also share some advice for folks who may want to start out on their own. It's not an easy decision to make, and from my conversations with many artists/designers I realized that there is no right way to approach this career change. So I say it's ok to not know everything in the beginning as long as you prepare for some of the basic aspects of legal protection of rights and get all the paperwork squared away. I found that sometimes you can spend too much time preparing and researching, and then you become too afraid to take the jump! I went into this thinking I would be happily painting away for, let's say, 80% of the time and I would spend the rest of the time doing administrative and business "stuff". What I found out was the complete opposite, that when I am the one running the show, I'm lucky to get to paint 30% of the time. But that's OK, because that is something I only realized after working on my own, it's not something anyone would have been able to tell me. And even if they did, I wouldn't have believed them. Plus, there's something to be said about learning as you go, that if you love and truly believe in what you are pursuing 100%, then you will put in the time to figure these things out.

Anyway, check out the interview here! The images are photographed by Christa Kimble Photography and are sneak peaks of my new home office. I hope to get a proper photoshoot in the next few months of my entire studio space to share with you guys! It's slowly coming along but I love how much more space I have to work with.

Hey guys! Have you checked out a new addition to our shop yet? I have many original paintings including some exclusives for West Elm and Minted that are now available for sale. Through 8/31, you can enjoy an extra 25% off any original watercolor with code ENDOFSUMR!

Looking for originals under $200? Check them out here in my Etsy shop!

I just wanted to share some thoughts today about what's been on my mind lately. Also, this artwork is so fun, it feels appropriate for how I'm feeling today.

Ever since coming back from our wedding and honeymoon in Italy (post coming soon!), I've been spending a lot of time figuring out/ planning how to expand and grow with my business. It's time to take this business to the next level, to grow with help from others and a bigger space to do more projects!

Our 2 weeks away was so good in so many ways. We got to spend quality time not only with each other but also with our close family and friends. It was 2 weeks that I will never ever forget, they are so close to our hearts. That vacation also forced me to really step away, mentally and physically, from my business. I didn't answer emails, fill orders, multi-task different projects, clients, etc... So coming back to all of the demands of running everything yourself was- crazy. Yep, that's the word. It was absolutely nuts, which really made me realize how much I need to find an assistant and move into a larger space so that I can grow in ways that I really want to.

I've grappled with this idea of hiring someone else to help with my business for over a year now, and I never wanted to deal with the issue head on because it just seemed unnecessary to ask someone else to help. I always thought there must be other ways for me to be more efficient, I must not be working hard enough or putting in enough hours. The reality though, was that I was working many 6 or 7 day weeks, and while some days were less efficient than others, it was because I would get so burnt out that I just needed a break. Coming back from our time in Italy, it became clear how I really do need to address this issue now. I am always amazed with the response I get from customers, clients, folks in general, on how much they love my work and want to work with me. I cannot tell you how much it means to me that other people can connect with my work, it is just amazing. I also cannot think of any other way to spend my time everyday, so moving into a larger space and having more hands on deck is the only way forward!

All of that is well and good, getting the thoughts and ideas going in my head (and writing this post!) is the first step. I'm currently on the second step, which is on finding the right space, the right person to hire, figuring out all the financial and legals aspects. It's a work in progress, and I'm really hoping moving into space soon will get the ball rolling. Did I mention we are also in the process of buying our first home? (more on that later!) So I'm allowing myself some time to get all of this sorted out, and to say it's ok that for the time being that I cannot take on every project that I want to do!

Well I hope you've enjoyed reading this post! I have a hard time figuring out what to share via social media and blogs sometimes. It's crucial to present the best aspects of running a business, and that's all well and good. But, there are many, many days of struggles and constant problem-solvings involved, and it's not often that those moments are shared. So it feels good to write some of these honest thoughts down today... I have so many hopes and dreams for where I want this business to go. Everyday I'm working towards that goal, and while many of these steps may not be so obvious to others, they are each crucial and exciting milestones.

I have been scrambling to get all of the projects done and clothes packed for our trip to china all week...we leave tomorrow morning and I honestly cannot wait to get on that plane! It's our first time back since we were married last June, can't wait! 😎 here's one of the watercolors I recently finished of a bride's bouquet, love that pop of pink in all of those pastels! #commissioned #watercolor #yaochengdesign

#pysanky egg painting this afternoon with @lady_farnsworth, @heidi_lostinreverie, other great friends and yummy food. Forgot how addictive painting these eggs are... Happy early Easter! #eastereggs #handmade

Hot off the press! These printed envelopes from @thehalfandhalf are perfect! This suite is coming along nicely, can't wait to share more when calligraphy is added 👌 #yaochengdesign #weddinginvites #silkscreen #bespokewedding

Looks like this is turning into a fruit mini series! I have been itching to make a peach pie, but its too bad peaches are not yet in season... Here's to peaches and it's mouthwatering sweetness 😊

Fresh. #fruit #inprogress #summer #lemons #limes #watercolor

A preview of my #vegetable plate collection for #tarhong at the Chicago Houseware Show! I love working with clients who trusts my vision and allows me to be as creative as I would like, the designs are always better this way! #watercolor #vegetableplates #clientwork

#Repost from @houselarsbuilt today, she's giving away a three month subscription to @creativebug for all kinds of great tutorials, including my watercolor classes. Whoohoo! Go to her blog (link in her profile) to check it out. Thanks, Brittany! #larsgiveaway #larspaints

I never post about food but these #bruschettas that I just made for lunch was too pretty not to snap a photo of! Me and Eric love recreating our fav foods from our honeymoon in Italy. Yum! #homemade

Freshly arrived in the mail! This #commissioned project is for a dear friend's mother-in-law's 90th birthday celebration. I can't imagine getting to that milestone, all the stories and memories throughout all those years! #yaochengdesign #savethedate #90thbirthday #celebration #milestone

My Beginner's Class on Watercolor with @creativebug launched earlier this week and it's been so fun seeing everyone's IG tags while taking the class. Watercolor, for me, is about letting go and being in the moment with the medium...watching the colors blend and bleed, seeing shapes come to life before me...it's very meditative. Hop on over to their site and see it for yourself! Don't forget to also tag #cbugwatercolor and #creativebug for weekly giveaways and prizes that will include different products from my shop 😊

Hey guys! My #watercolor tutorials will be launching on @creativebug starting Monday, March 2nd! There will be 4 classes total, one will release each week. I was really glad that Creativebug wanted to collaborate with me on this project since it's something I know a lot of people have been curious about. Be sure to subscribe on their site and hope you guys will enjoy the tutorials! Also, stay tuned for giveaways and prizes on my IG feed! 😄#creativebug #yaochengdesign #onlinetutorial #watercolor

Thanks for visiting my place of creative inspiration!I love sharing my work and the works of others on my blog, so I ask that all images used from my site be credited properly. Similarly, if you see any work that is not credited correctly, please let me know. All photos by Yao Cheng Design should be credited and linked to the original post. I believe in the integrity of design and all the hard work that goes into it, so thank you kindly!